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OET (OET-LV) and he_is_saying to_him:
If you_are the_son of_ the _god, throw yourself down, because/for it_has_been_written, that Will_be_commanding to_the messengers of_him concerning you, and:
They_will_be_carrying you in ^their_hands, lest you_may_strike the foot of_you against a_stone.
OET (OET-RV) and told him, “Throw yourself down if you’re God’s son, because it’s written in the scriptures that God will command his messengers to look after you and to carry you in their arms so that you won’t bash your foot on a rock.”
In this section, God allowed Satan to tempt Jesus so that Jesus could show that he always obeyed his Father. The children of Israel had failed to obey God during their forty years in the wilderness. But Jesus, as the Messiah, proved his obedience to God during his forty days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness. He “passed” this test and demonstrated that he truly was the “Son of God.”
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
The temptation of Jesus
The devil tried to make Jesus sin
Jesus was tempted by the devil
There is a parallel passage for this section in Luke 4:1–11, and a shorter version occurs in Mark 1:12–13.
In this paragraph, Matthew reported the second way that the devil tempted Jesus. In this paragraph, the devil tempted Jesus to put himself in danger. If Jesus had put himself in danger, he would have been testing God to save him from danger. This would have been a sinful thing for Jesus to do.
“If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down.
He said, “If you really/truly are the Son of God, jump down from here.
He said to him, “If it is true that you are God’s Son, jump off of this tower/roof to the ground!
He told Jesus to prove that he was the child of God by jumping to the ground.
“If You are the Son of God,” he said: The BSB places the words he said in the middle of what the devil said. This is good English style. However, in some languages it may be more natural to put these words at the beginning of 4:6a. For example:
and said to him, “If you are the Son of God…” (ESV)
If You are the Son of God: These words are the same words as in 4:3b. You should translate it the same way as you did there.
throw Yourself down: The phrase throw Yourself down means “leap off,” “jump down,” or “make yourself fall down.” Normally someone who jumped from such a great height would hit the ground and die. The devil tempted Jesus to sin by taking this unnecessary risk in order to prove who he was and that God would protect him.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
jump off (NLT)
jump down (NCV)
jump and fall to the ground
For it is written:
The Scriptures say,
You will not be hurt, because it is written in the Scriptures,
He said that he/Jesus would not be injured, because God’s book says that
For: The Greek conjunction that the BSB here translates as For also means “because.” It introduces the reason clause (4:6b) of a reason-result statement. The result is implied. The implied information is: “You will not be injured.”
result (implied) | You will not be hurt, |
reason (4:6c) | for/because God will command his angels to protect you. |
Here are some other ways to translate this:
Include the implied information and the conjunction “because.” For example:
You will not be hurt for/because it is written…
It is written…, so you will not be hurt.
Do not translate the conjunction and leave the relationship implied. For example:
It is written in the Scriptures (NCV)
Scripture says…. (GW)
it is written: The phrase it is written again introduces a quotation from the Old Testament Scriptures. The quotation is from Psalm 91:11–12. See how you translated this phrase in 4:4.
‘He will command His angels concerning You,
‘God will give orders to his angels about you(sing).
‘God will order his angels to protect you(sing).
God will tell his angels to protect/help him.
He will command His angels concerning You: The clause He will command His angels concerning You means that God will give his angels a command/order about Jesus. This implies that God will order his angels to protect Jesus.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
God will give orders to his angels about you (GNT)
He will order his angels to protect you (NLT)
His angels: See how you translated the word angel in 1:20 or 2:19. Also, see angel, Meaning 1, in the Glossary for more information.
and they will lift You up in their hands,
They will hold you(sing) up with their hands
They will support you(sing)
They will carry him
and they will lift You up in their hands: This clause means “the angels will carry/support you.”
The devil was quoting Psalm 91:12. In that verse, angels lift up someone so that he will not hit his feet on the stones and stumble as he walks. But here, the devil applied this verse to mean that if Jesus jumped down, the angels would catch him before he hit the ground.
Because the devil was quoting from Psalm 91:12, you should use a verb from your language that fits the context of the psalm. Use a verb that means “carry” or “support.” Do not use a verb like “catch.” For example:
they will hold you up with their hands (GNT)
They will carry you in their arms (NJB)
with their hands they will lift you up (NET)
in their hands: In some languages, it will be more natural to translate this phrase as “in/on their arms.” For example:
in their arms (NJB)
In some languages, the phrase in their hands is implied by the verb used to translate “lift You up.” If that is true in your language, you do not need to translate this phrase explicitly.
so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”
so that you(sing) will not hit your foot on a stone!’ ”
so that your feet will not be injured on the rocks.’ ”
so that his feet will not even be hurt on a stone.
so that: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as so that links two actions.This Greek conjunction mēpote marks negative purpose. One action prevents the other action from happening. The purpose for which the angels carried someone (4:6d) was to prevent that person from being harmed (4:6e).
In this context, the devil quoted the psalm to say that angels would protect Jesus. They would protect him so that he would not be harmed if he jumped from the temple.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
in order that you not injure your foot
to prevent your foot from hitting a stone
You will not strike Your foot against a stone: The phrase strike Your foot against a stone means “hit a stone” or “stumble over a stone.” Psalm 91:12 describes someone who is walking along a path. As he walks, God’s angels protect him from hitting his foot on a stone, stumbling, falling down, and hurting himself.
Satan quoted this psalm to mean that Jesus would not be injured if he jumped from the top of the temple. But because the devil was quoting from Psalm 91:12, you should use a verb from your language that fits the context of the psalm. If possible, use a verb that can refer to both stumbling on a stone and hitting a stone. For example:
your foot will not hit a rock/stone
not even your feet will be hurt on the stones (GNT)
In some languages, it may be more natural to translate the quotation from the Scriptures as indirect speech. For example:
6bThe Scriptures say that 6cGod will order his angels to protect him. 6dThey will lift him up in their hands, 6eso that he does not strike his foot against a stone.
Note 1 topic: writing-quotations
λέγει αὐτῷ
˱he˲_˓is˒_saying ˱to˲_him
Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: [he tells him]
Note 2 topic: translate-tense
λέγει
˱he˲_˓is˒_saying
To call attention to a development in the story, Matthew uses the present tense in past narration. If it would not be natural to do that in your language, you could use the past tense in your translation. Alternate translation: [said]
Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical
εἰ Υἱὸς εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ, βάλε σεαυτὸν κάτω
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί λέγει αὐτῷ Εἰ Υἱός εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ βάλε σεαυτόν κάτω γέγραπται γάρ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ Ἐντελεῖται περί σοῦ καί ἐπί χειρῶν Ἀροῦσιν σέ μήποτε προσκόψῃς πρός λίθον τόν πόδα σοῦ)
The devil is suggesting that this is a hypothetical condition, that the angels will only rescue Jesus if Jesus is the Son of God. The devil is speaking as if it is uncertain who Jesus is in order to challenge him to throw himself down to prove that he really is the Son of God. Use a natural form in your language for introducing something that could be true. Alternate translation: [Prove that you are the Son of God by throwing yourself down]
Note 4 topic: guidelines-sonofgodprinciples
Υἱὸς & τοῦ Θεοῦ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί λέγει αὐτῷ Εἰ Υἱός εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ βάλε σεαυτόν κάτω γέγραπται γάρ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ Ἐντελεῖται περί σοῦ καί ἐπί χειρῶν Ἀροῦσιν σέ μήποτε προσκόψῃς πρός λίθον τόν πόδα σοῦ)
The phrase Son of God is an important title for Jesus.
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
βάλε σεαυτὸν κάτω
cast (Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί λέγει αὐτῷ Εἰ Υἱός εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ βάλε σεαυτόν κάτω γέγραπται γάρ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ Ἐντελεῖται περί σοῦ καί ἐπί χειρῶν Ἀροῦσιν σέ μήποτε προσκόψῃς πρός λίθον τόν πόδα σοῦ)
When Satan tells Jesus to throw yourself down, he means that Jesus should jump off the top of the temple. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [jump from here on top of the temple]
Note 6 topic: writing-quotations
γέγραπται γὰρ
˱it˲_˓has_been˒_written (Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί λέγει αὐτῷ Εἰ Υἱός εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ βάλε σεαυτόν κάτω γέγραπται γάρ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ Ἐντελεῖται περί σοῦ καί ἐπί χειρῶν Ἀροῦσιν σέ μήποτε προσκόψῃς πρός λίθον τόν πόδα σοῦ)
In Matthew’s culture, for it is written was a normal way to introduce a quotation from an important text, in this case, the Old Testament book of Psalms (see [Psalm 91:11–12](../psa/91/11.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable phrase that indicates that Matthew is quoting from an important text. Alternate translation: [for it is written in the book of Psalms] or [for the psalmist wrote]
Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
γέγραπται
˱it˲_˓has_been˒_written
If your language does not use the passive form, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [a poet wrote this in the Scriptures]
Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / quotesinquotes
γέγραπται & ὅτι τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ ἐντελεῖται περὶ σοῦ, καὶ, ἐπὶ χειρῶν ἀροῦσίν σε, μήποτε προσκόψῃς πρὸς λίθον τὸν πόδα σου.
˱it˲_˓has_been˒_written & ¬that ˱to˲_the angels ˱of˲_him (Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί λέγει αὐτῷ Εἰ Υἱός εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ βάλε σεαυτόν κάτω γέγραπται γάρ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ Ἐντελεῖται περί σοῦ καί ἐπί χειρῶν Ἀροῦσιν σέ μήποτε προσκόψῃς πρός λίθον τόν πόδα σοῦ)
If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there are not quotations within a quotation. If you do, you will need to delete the single quotation mark at the end of the second quotation. Alternate translation: [it is written that he will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone]
Note 9 topic: writing-pronouns
ἐντελεῖται
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί λέγει αὐτῷ Εἰ Υἱός εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ βάλε σεαυτόν κάτω γέγραπται γάρ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ Ἐντελεῖται περί σοῦ καί ἐπί χειρῶν Ἀροῦσιν σέ μήποτε προσκόψῃς πρός λίθον τόν πόδα σοῦ)
The pronoun He refers to God. If this is not clear for your readers, you could use the person's name here. Alternate translation: [God will command]
Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / yousingular
σοῦ & σε & προσκόψῃς & σου
you & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί λέγει αὐτῷ Εἰ Υἱός εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ βάλε σεαυτόν κάτω γέγραπται γάρ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ Ἐντελεῖται περί σοῦ καί ἐπί χειρῶν Ἀροῦσιν σέ μήποτε προσκόψῃς πρός λίθον τόν πόδα σοῦ)
Since the author of the quotations is addressing each specific person who is part of God’s people, every occurrence of you and your in the quotations is singular. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that makes this clear. Alternate translation: [each of you … each of you … any of you strike your]
Note 11 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases
(Occurrence 2) καὶ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί λέγει αὐτῷ Εἰ Υἱός εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ βάλε σεαυτόν κάτω γέγραπται γάρ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ Ἐντελεῖται περί σοῦ καί ἐπί χειρῶν Ἀροῦσιν σέ μήποτε προσκόψῃς πρός λίθον τόν πόδα σοῦ)
Here, the word and connects the two quotations, which are two verses from Psalm 91. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that connects two closely related quotations. Alternate translation: [and further] or [and then]
Note 12 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche
προσκόψῃς πρὸς λίθον τὸν πόδα σου
˱you˲_˓may˒_strike (Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί λέγει αὐτῷ Εἰ Υἱός εἶ τοῦ Θεοῦ βάλε σεαυτόν κάτω γέγραπται γάρ ὅτι τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ Ἐντελεῖται περί σοῦ καί ἐπί χειρῶν Ἀροῦσιν σέ μήποτε προσκόψῃς πρός λίθον τόν πόδα σοῦ)
The author of the quotation is using one way of being hurt to mean all ways of being hurt. Alternate translation: [even your foot strikes a stone] or [you get hurt]
4:1-11 Parallels between Adam and Jesus are obvious in this account of Jesus’ temptation. Jesus is the second Adam (see Rom 5:12-19) and the second Israel (Matt 2:15). In contrast to the ancient Israelites, he fulfilled Israel’s history by successfully wandering through the desert without sinning. He proved himself the obedient Son of God by defeating Satan in spiritual combat. And because he underwent temptation himself as a human, Jesus is able to sympathize with the temptations we face (see Heb 2:14-18; 4:15) and help us overcome them as he did (1 Cor 10:13).
OET (OET-LV) and he_is_saying to_him:
If you_are the_son of_ the _god, throw yourself down, because/for it_has_been_written, that Will_be_commanding to_the messengers of_him concerning you, and:
They_will_be_carrying you in ^their_hands, lest you_may_strike the foot of_you against a_stone.
OET (OET-RV) and told him, “Throw yourself down if you’re God’s son, because it’s written in the scriptures that God will command his messengers to look after you and to carry you in their arms so that you won’t bash your foot on a rock.”
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.
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